Unclaimed IRS refunds

Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki proves "fearless and driven"

Rockies star Troy Tulowitzi, the seventh pick of the 2005 draft, is a career .290 hitter in the major leagues. He hit 59 homers and drove in 187 runs the last two years.
(Karl Gehring, The Denver Post
)

He was 215 pounds of brawn and brains, diving, throwing and sliding his way into the Colorado consciousness and onto posters on bedroom walls.

Troy Tulowitzki put a different face on the Rockies franchise when he arrived for good in 2007 — part scream, part smirk — that has changed the organization forever. He doesn't have a "C" on his jersey. But there's no need to formally recognize what everyone knew from the moment he took over as shortstop.

"He's our leader. People are drawn to him and follow him," said teammate Jason Giambi, who has played with some of baseball's greatest stars and biggest personalities. "He has that 'it' factor about him, that quality where he would be the first one in the burning building. He wouldn't think about it. He's fearless and driven."

Leadership has always come naturally to Tulowitzki, who has commanded respect and drawn attention on whatever team he's played for, dating back to his T-ball days in Sunnyvale, Calif.

Teammates didn't take to him instantly late in 2006 when he was first called up because he was supplanting the popular Clint Barmes. In the spring of 2007, Tulo and Barmes were theoretically competing for the starting shortstop job.

The competition ended early in March during the second game of a day-night, split-squad spring training doubleheader at Tucson Electric Park. The Rockies bolted to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. Denny Bautista wandered to the mound with the cushion. After a walk, and some nibbling around the edges of the strike zone with his fastball, Tulowitzki jogged to the mound. He got into Bautista's face, letting him know, in politically correct terms, to man up.

"If people didn't know, that's when it become obvious he was our shortstop," former Rockies coach Mike Gallego said.

Later that spring, Tulowitzki yelled at an outfielder who made a poor cutoff throw. It was considered brazen in context with his minimal service time in the major leagues. But it's how Tulo has always acted on the diamond, so his thinking was, "Why change who I am?"

Rudder of the Rockies

With Tulowitzki in the middle of the infield, the Rockies have won a lot, advancing to their first World Series in 2007 and the playoffs twice in four years.

"When you think of the Rockies, you think of Tulo," teammate Ian Stewart said.

Tulowitzki, 26, was born, it seems, with an insatiable desire to win. It doesn't matter if it's fantasy football, picking his NCAA Tournament bracket or competing in the postseason, he wants to figure out a way to win.

"Cal Ripken Jr. was the same way," said Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd, who worked for the Orioles when Ripken was with them. "I used to play against him in pickup basketball games. As part of the front office, he never let up against us. Tulo is like that."

Tulowitzki, as a happy little T-ball player at age 5.
( Courtesy of the Tulowitzki family
)

Tulo's desire for victory shapes him as the Rockies' rudder. During the 2007 National League Championship Series against the Diamondbacks, it was Tulo who screamed at Justin Upton after the Arizona outfielder stared down pitcher Jeff Francis when he was hit by a pitch. "I was telling him he should just be happy he got on base in that situation," Tulo said.

During a spring training game in Tucson last year, he exchanged words with Padres shortstop Evereth Cabrera over a thrown elbow during a rundown.

"I know there are some guys on other teams where I am definitely not their favorite player. But there are other guys where I probably am," Tulo-witzki said. "I am the kind of guy where people either seem to really like me or I get on their nerves."

Tulowitzki has evolved as a leader. There are shades of gray in his personality that were never present as a younger player. His marriage to wife Danyll and commitment to his faith have helped him mature over the past two years.

While he was always vocal on the field, he has gradually taken on a bigger role in the Rockies' clubhouse. He learned from teammates Todd Helton and Matt Holliday the importance of work ethic and gleaned knowledge from them about how to help teammates in private conversations.

"When your best players are your hardest workers, your team usually does well," Tulowitzki said.

Tulo averages 28 homers and 95 RBIs when playing more than 120 games.
(John Leyba, The Denver Post)

The hardest part for Tulo is meshing his personality with his sport. His fiery intensity is more suited for a quarterback barking out signals, or a middle linebacker crashing through the line on a blitz. The length of a baseball season, however, demands finesse, not an iron fist.

"It is a fine line," Giambi said. "But he never crosses the line of being selfish. He's always doing what's best for the team, whether it's taking a walk, moving the runner over from second base. He wants to do what's right by the team to help us win. That's where the leadership comes through and makes a difference."

Inside Tulo

Favorite music on his iPod: "Probably Jay-Z before a game. . . . Anything he has, there's always something to it."

Names of his dogs, both boxers: Ripken and Rawlings. Rawlings is the pup with a lot of energy.

Best friends on the team: Jason Giambi and Ryan Spilborghs. "I talk the game with Jason. He's just a good dude. With Spilly, we just get along real well. We can get on each other about anything."

A perfect day off in Denver includes: Umm, watching baseball. "I know it sounds crazy, but if a game is on, I will watch it."

Favorite fast food: French fries.

He has a strict diet: His offseason meals include oatmeal, lean meats, salads and protein shakes.

Favorite sports team: The Miami Dolphins because his dad liked them.

His wife Danyll tolerates his sports addiction: And, she will watch some sports with him, especially when some of his good friends are playing, such as (Matt) Holliday or (Evan) Longoria.

Modes of transportation: 1968 Camaro, Ferrari, Maserati.

Why the vehicles are important to him: "I grew up around muscle cars. A lot of buddies were into them, and I like to bring mine back and show them to them. But more than anything after a game, it's a reality check. It reminds me that I am pretty lucky."

He's a winner, always has been: By his and his friends' account, Tulo has only been on one team with a losing record, the 2008 Rockies.

He just missed going to Williamsport as a Little Leaguer: Tulowitzki's team lost in the California finals.

Why he was surprised to be a Rockie: In the days leading up to the 2005 draft, the Seattle Mariners told Tulo he was their man. Instead, they picked USC catcher Jeff Clement. Oops.

Why it is important to work out with Rockies' minor-leaguers in the offseason: "I want to know the guys who are going to help me win. And Matt Holliday was always a big influence helping me with my swing. He was like a second hitting coach. I would like to get to that point where I can be like that for some of the young guys."

Most worn pregame shirt: A black-and-yellow Long Beach State model with Shortstop U on the front.